I'e been programming Java forever, but have been away from it for a while. Can anyone recommend a really good Java reference, where "really good" is defined by "Good coverage of the language, detailed coverage of recent extensions, and written for the technical reader (not a "for Dummies" sort of book)"?
A:
i've always liked cay horstmann's books: http://www.horstmann.com/corejava.html. these are 8'th editions. and there is gosling's http://java.sun.com/docs/books/javaprog/. haven't seen anything for 1.6 yet.
Ray Tayek
2008-11-20 07:14:05
I believe it's "Cay", not "Cat" -- He was a professor of mine back when I was a freshman for intro to programming :)
Alex
2009-06-05 06:33:52
fixed it. thanks
Ray Tayek
2009-06-05 18:18:52
+8
A:
As well as references saying what has changed in the languages (which other answers already cover better than I could) I can't recommend highly enough the Second edition of Effective Java by Joshua Bloch - which explains the most effective ways of using the language.
Jon Skeet
2008-11-20 07:18:07
This is easily the best Java book I've ever read, and it's also one of the shortest.
Don
2009-03-23 02:21:44
+4
A:
For anything to do with concurrency, get Java Concurrency In Practice.
As well as helping you avoid most of the many nasty pitfalls awaiting you, it gives a very good treatment of the new java.util.concurrent API memebers for Java 5 and 6.
Bill Michell
2008-11-20 11:25:04